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Why Should We Care?
It’s the last day of Student Senate elections, but does it really matter who students vote for? / 4
DM TROJAN
Student newspaper of the University of Southern California
THURSDAY
-----------♦-----------
February 28, 2002
Of interest...
USC looks to move to first place in the Pac-10 when it hosts Oregon at Sports Arena / 20
News Digest 2 Opinions 4 Lifestyle 7 The Buzz 7 Roundup 15 Classifieds 16 Crossword 17 Sports 20
vol. CVL, no. 34 www.dailytrojan.com
Complaint
process
questioned
Elections: The Compton-Williams campaign ticket says Elections Commission mishandled some issues
By ROBB FERRIS
Student Senate Writer
Student Senate presidential candidates are split over how effective and fair the Elections Commission handled complaints and sanctions during the campaign.
The Elections Commission mishandled a number of issues that could affect the presidential election’s outcome, said presidential candidate Andrew Compton.
Compton and running mate Nina Williams filed three complaints against opponents Matt Weir and Lauren Geissler, two of which the Elections Commission overruled.
Compton objected the way the commission and its director, Harold L.
Mann Jr., handled the complaints.
Compton-Williams filed a complaint Feb. 13 that stated a resident adviser in Birnkrant Residence Hall engaged in “negative campaigning” and slandered the Compton-Williams ticket to students living in the hall.
The Elections Commission rejected the complaint with Mann casting the tie-breaking vote. Compton later questioned the decision.
Mann defended the ruling, saying there was not sufficient evidence the RA slandered Compton and Williams.
“They provided one witness, and that witness said that he never actually heard a thing,” Mann said. “The witness assumed (the RA) was going door to door, but he never heard anything.”
Students are sometimes wary about coming forward, and freshmen may feel especially uncomfortable about speaking against their RAs, Compton said.
Compton asked to meet with Mann and Senate advisers Heather Larabee and Laura Kawano after he alleged Mann personally slandered his campaign.
“It has been brought to our attention that he has spoken I see Elections, page 17 I
“They (Compton arid Williams) provided one witness, and that witness said he never actually heard a thing —♦— HAROLDL MANN JR. Elections Commission director
Jones lends voice to university
Speaker Acclaimed actor brought in to encourage student voting, wonders what Student Senate is
By VERONICA TORREJON
Contributing Writer
Although James Earl Jones was invited to campus as part of a Student Senate Elections Show, he began the question/answer portion of his speech at Bovard Auditorium Wednesday night by asking “What is Student Senate anyway?”
In a speech that touched on everything from culture and conquest to knowledge and literature, Jones proved he knew about more than Star Wars.
Student Senate, Program Board and Black Student Assembly brought the actor to campus in part to raise awareness about Senate elections this week.
Bridget McManama, a candidate for residential senator, said she was bothered that some students focused on minority issues during the question answer period of the Jones event
“ I am bothered that a black man comes on campus and people ask about affirmative action,” she said.
When asked about affirmative action, Jones said he didn’t have the benefit of affirmative action when he went to the University of Michigan, but said affirmative action has not yet accomplished what it was meant to accomplish. He also said he believed in the existence of the “good old boy network”
“Are we going to trust these guys to be fair, I’m not sure yet,” Jones said.
In his speech to students, Jones discussed, among other things his ideas about culture, knowledge, and language.
Knowledge is not a dangerous thing, said Jones, who is best known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars trilogy, said true knowledge is not meant to shame but enlighten.
“If knowledge pisses you off, it is too little knowledge," Jones said.
Jones also discussed the many definitions of culture. He offered one definition of culture as “everything
Crystal Lauderdale I Daily Trojan
Quality time. James Earl Jones talks to a student after his speech in Bovard Auditorium Wednesday night. Some students won backstage passes to the event to promote Senate elections.
that happens to a people.
“Our culture affects how we see the world,” Jones said. “If culture were an onion we would have to peel off two layers in order to get to the heart of it”
The heart or core of the onion according to Jones would be “the philosophy of life ... inner life and spirit” “We can teach our children to reach out to other cultures," he said.
Jones quoted, among others, his proclaimed hero, Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes as saying “a culture
that is isolated perishes.”
Jones also stressed the importance of language to a culture.
“Language is the dominant feature of culture. A distinct culture cannot exist unless it has a distinct language that records and conveys it,” Jones said.
“Language is like an ocean fed by many rivers ... it is constantly changing,” Jones said.
Sama Hunter, a commuter senator candidate, said the turnout was I see Jones, page 15 I
“Ifknowledge pisses you off, it is too little knowledge” —♦— JAMES EARL JONES actor
Tax information complicates FAFSA
By RENEE HASLETT
Staff Writer
As the final deadline draws to a close today for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, there are common errors that students are cautioned to avoid, although turning the form in on time remains the highest priority.
The FAFSA determines the allocation of federal grants, loans and work-study and along with the College Scholarship Service Profile, helps determine USC aid allocation.
Simple clerical errors that students and parents sometimes make could cause problems, said Catherine Thomas, associate dean and director of financial aid.
YOUR MONEY
-------♦-------
Confusion results when students write their nicknames on the forms instead of their full name as it appears on their Social Security cards, she said.
It is also a problem if parents misinterpret the directions and use their own Social Security number instead of the student's, Thomas said.
Parts of the form such as the required tax information and earnings may be confusing, and students
often find the application to be time-consuming.
“My mom does it for me because
I have no idea about financial information and taxes,” said Erica Russell, a sophomore majoring in psychology. “She thought it was a pain to do because it took a really long time, but I guess it’s worth it in the end."
Although many students now use the online version, which is found at www.collegeboard.com, Kevin Wen used the paper form.
“I filled it out on my own,” the senior biology major said. “I think it’s pretty straightforward.”
Students sometimes miss the deadline because the form refers to tax returns and they do not have
I see FAFSA, page 15 I
Angela Yee I Daily Trojan
Filling out. Steve Svetlinger, graduate student in film production fills out a financial aid form at Student Administrative Services.

*
Why Should We Care?
It’s the last day of Student Senate elections, but does it really matter who students vote for? / 4
DM TROJAN
Student newspaper of the University of Southern California
THURSDAY
-----------♦-----------
February 28, 2002
Of interest...
USC looks to move to first place in the Pac-10 when it hosts Oregon at Sports Arena / 20
News Digest 2 Opinions 4 Lifestyle 7 The Buzz 7 Roundup 15 Classifieds 16 Crossword 17 Sports 20
vol. CVL, no. 34 www.dailytrojan.com
Complaint
process
questioned
Elections: The Compton-Williams campaign ticket says Elections Commission mishandled some issues
By ROBB FERRIS
Student Senate Writer
Student Senate presidential candidates are split over how effective and fair the Elections Commission handled complaints and sanctions during the campaign.
The Elections Commission mishandled a number of issues that could affect the presidential election’s outcome, said presidential candidate Andrew Compton.
Compton and running mate Nina Williams filed three complaints against opponents Matt Weir and Lauren Geissler, two of which the Elections Commission overruled.
Compton objected the way the commission and its director, Harold L.
Mann Jr., handled the complaints.
Compton-Williams filed a complaint Feb. 13 that stated a resident adviser in Birnkrant Residence Hall engaged in “negative campaigning” and slandered the Compton-Williams ticket to students living in the hall.
The Elections Commission rejected the complaint with Mann casting the tie-breaking vote. Compton later questioned the decision.
Mann defended the ruling, saying there was not sufficient evidence the RA slandered Compton and Williams.
“They provided one witness, and that witness said that he never actually heard a thing,” Mann said. “The witness assumed (the RA) was going door to door, but he never heard anything.”
Students are sometimes wary about coming forward, and freshmen may feel especially uncomfortable about speaking against their RAs, Compton said.
Compton asked to meet with Mann and Senate advisers Heather Larabee and Laura Kawano after he alleged Mann personally slandered his campaign.
“It has been brought to our attention that he has spoken I see Elections, page 17 I
“They (Compton arid Williams) provided one witness, and that witness said he never actually heard a thing —♦— HAROLDL MANN JR. Elections Commission director
Jones lends voice to university
Speaker Acclaimed actor brought in to encourage student voting, wonders what Student Senate is
By VERONICA TORREJON
Contributing Writer
Although James Earl Jones was invited to campus as part of a Student Senate Elections Show, he began the question/answer portion of his speech at Bovard Auditorium Wednesday night by asking “What is Student Senate anyway?”
In a speech that touched on everything from culture and conquest to knowledge and literature, Jones proved he knew about more than Star Wars.
Student Senate, Program Board and Black Student Assembly brought the actor to campus in part to raise awareness about Senate elections this week.
Bridget McManama, a candidate for residential senator, said she was bothered that some students focused on minority issues during the question answer period of the Jones event
“ I am bothered that a black man comes on campus and people ask about affirmative action,” she said.
When asked about affirmative action, Jones said he didn’t have the benefit of affirmative action when he went to the University of Michigan, but said affirmative action has not yet accomplished what it was meant to accomplish. He also said he believed in the existence of the “good old boy network”
“Are we going to trust these guys to be fair, I’m not sure yet,” Jones said.
In his speech to students, Jones discussed, among other things his ideas about culture, knowledge, and language.
Knowledge is not a dangerous thing, said Jones, who is best known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars trilogy, said true knowledge is not meant to shame but enlighten.
“If knowledge pisses you off, it is too little knowledge," Jones said.
Jones also discussed the many definitions of culture. He offered one definition of culture as “everything
Crystal Lauderdale I Daily Trojan
Quality time. James Earl Jones talks to a student after his speech in Bovard Auditorium Wednesday night. Some students won backstage passes to the event to promote Senate elections.
that happens to a people.
“Our culture affects how we see the world,” Jones said. “If culture were an onion we would have to peel off two layers in order to get to the heart of it”
The heart or core of the onion according to Jones would be “the philosophy of life ... inner life and spirit” “We can teach our children to reach out to other cultures," he said.
Jones quoted, among others, his proclaimed hero, Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes as saying “a culture
that is isolated perishes.”
Jones also stressed the importance of language to a culture.
“Language is the dominant feature of culture. A distinct culture cannot exist unless it has a distinct language that records and conveys it,” Jones said.
“Language is like an ocean fed by many rivers ... it is constantly changing,” Jones said.
Sama Hunter, a commuter senator candidate, said the turnout was I see Jones, page 15 I
“Ifknowledge pisses you off, it is too little knowledge” —♦— JAMES EARL JONES actor
Tax information complicates FAFSA
By RENEE HASLETT
Staff Writer
As the final deadline draws to a close today for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, there are common errors that students are cautioned to avoid, although turning the form in on time remains the highest priority.
The FAFSA determines the allocation of federal grants, loans and work-study and along with the College Scholarship Service Profile, helps determine USC aid allocation.
Simple clerical errors that students and parents sometimes make could cause problems, said Catherine Thomas, associate dean and director of financial aid.
YOUR MONEY
-------♦-------
Confusion results when students write their nicknames on the forms instead of their full name as it appears on their Social Security cards, she said.
It is also a problem if parents misinterpret the directions and use their own Social Security number instead of the student's, Thomas said.
Parts of the form such as the required tax information and earnings may be confusing, and students
often find the application to be time-consuming.
“My mom does it for me because
I have no idea about financial information and taxes,” said Erica Russell, a sophomore majoring in psychology. “She thought it was a pain to do because it took a really long time, but I guess it’s worth it in the end."
Although many students now use the online version, which is found at www.collegeboard.com, Kevin Wen used the paper form.
“I filled it out on my own,” the senior biology major said. “I think it’s pretty straightforward.”
Students sometimes miss the deadline because the form refers to tax returns and they do not have
I see FAFSA, page 15 I
Angela Yee I Daily Trojan
Filling out. Steve Svetlinger, graduate student in film production fills out a financial aid form at Student Administrative Services.